Clashes in Jammu and Kashmir Polling Station
One person was killed in a bomb attack on his way home after casting his vote and two died of sunstroke while waiting in a queue outside a polling booth during the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal on Thursday.
In Murshidabad district, a 28-year-old CPM worker identified as Kashinath Mondal was killed when some unidentified miscreants hurled a bomb at him while he was on his way home after casting vote at Eroali village under Jangipur parliamentary constituency, SP BL Meena said.
External affairs minister and Congress heavyweight Pranab Mukherjee is contesting from Jangipur.
In East Midnapore district, two persons died of sun stroke while waiting in a queue outside a polling booth, DSP Pallab Kanti Ghosh said.
A youth received splinter injuries during a clash between CPM and Trinamool Congress workers at Aadhikaripara in Nandigram under Tamluk constituency, he added.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader in Nandigram, Abu Taher claimed that CPM supporters fired at his party workers at Gokulnagar.
But, CPM’s Gokulnagar Zonal Committee secretary Ashok Guria said that it was the TC workers who fired at their party members.
However, police denied reports of any firing in the area. There were also reports of voters boycotting polls at one booth each in Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad districts on local issues, Joint CEO Sahana said, adding that 101 EVMs had been replaced because of technical snags.
In Rajasthan, one person was killed in police firing after an attempt to capture a booth at Olwara village Sawaimadhopur district.
An independent candidate received minor injuries when some unidentified persons pelted stones at his convoy near Bhadarej village polling booth, 15 kms from Dausa district headquarter, the police said.
Independent candidate Kirorilal Meena along with his supporters was attacked during a visit to the polling booth, they said, adding an FIR is yet to be lodged in this connection.
Meena received minor bruises on his limbs in the attack. In another incident, polling was disrupted at booth number 45 at Rajgarh in Dausa Lok Sabha seat due to some technical problem at the booth, the police said.
Clashes, protests in Kashmir mar voting
Scores of protesters clashed with government troops in Kashmir’s main city on Thursday as residents there and elsewhere went to polls in a month-long parliamentary election.
Nearly 95 million voters are eligible to vote in Thursday’s election for 85 seats in 543-seat lower house of Parliament.
Polls were open in New Delhi and seven states, including parts of the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh and Kashmir.
Thousands of troops wearing bulletproof jackets and carrying assault rifles patrolled the streets and guarded polling stations in Kashmiri city of Srinagar amid separatist calls for a poll boycott and a general strike.
Security forces fired tear gas to disperse at least one group of rock-throwing protesters, said Prabhakar Tripathy, a spokesman for the paramilitary CRPF. The protesters chanted slogans against the elections.
Suspected rebels also lobbed a petrol bomb at a polling booth in Srinagar, but there was no damage, Tripathy said.
The final round of voting will take place on May 13. Results of the massive election, which will use more than 1.3 million electronic voting machines in 828,804 polling stations, are expected May 16.
According to the constitution, a new parliament has to be in place by June 2.
But few expect a clear mandate from voters after a lackluster campaign that has been devoid of resonant, central issues.
Polls indicate neither the Congress party, which leads the current governing coalition, nor the main opposition, the BJP, will win enough seats to rule on its own.
Clashes in Jammu and Kashmir Polling Station was first posted on May 7, 2009 at 4:19 pm.
Road Accident in Jammu and Kashmir 20 killed
Jammu: At least 20 people were killed and 10 injured when the mini bus they were travelling in fell into the Chenab river in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir Monday morning, police said.
The accident occurred at about 9.00 am near Bandarkot village, about 240 km from here. Police said Army divers had started rescue operations.
Road Accident in Jammu and Kashmir 20 killed was first posted on May 4, 2009 at 11:37 am.
